Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Four descriptors to describe Jesus and the way He ushers in a kingdom of peace. But of the four, there is one descriptor that seems rather odd. It is Jesus, the Everlasting Father. Maybe, it is because at Christmas, we think of Jesus as a baby in a manger not a father. Perhaps, we have read the bible and Jesus is rarely described as a father. Or just maybe, some of us have been disappointed by fathers and cannot imagine Jesus to be characterized as such. That is why Jesus as father is utterly important, because it draws us into:

A loving relationship

A loving family

A loving hope

A loving relationship

Too often, children’s experience with their fathers has been lacking. They are described as absent, passive, selfish, and even evil. But not so with Jesus. When Isaiah uses the term “father” in relation to God, he describes an involved father, who takes great pride in his responsibility: in shaping us (64:8), redeeming us (63:16), and protecting us (9:6-7). When we look at Jesus’ life, we see inklings of his fatherhood. In one instance, he demonstrates his compassion when he tenderly holds a little dead girl’s hand and lovingly says, “Honey, it’s time to get up[1]” (Mk 5:41). In another moment, we see his fatherly heart, as He cries out in shame of being forsaken by His own Father because he bears the sins of you and I, his children, upon that cross. For this fatherly Jesus desires above all else, to enter a relationship with you regardless of your state (Rom 5:8). Can you imagine anything better than that?

A loving family

Even more so, Jesus as the EVERLASTING father means He is your father for an “endless succession of ages.[2]” In essence, he demonstrates his love to us by tying his identity forever with you. If you accept him to be your father, forever, you will be a child of Christ. This is no ordinary Identification like a gym membership. It more like a refugee finally receiving a citizenship card, and given a place called home. A home, which has been prepared for, furnished and Jesus is waiting outside to pick you up (Jn 14:3). Can you imagine anything better than that?

A loving hope

Since all these claims of Isaiah are as real as the very birth of Jesus, there is a reality to this immeasurable hope. There is finally an end to struggles you are facing. There will be a everlasting kingdom, there will be an eternal home, and there will be a Father welcoming you home.

[1] Keller, Timothy. Jesus the King: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God (p. 66). Penguin Group US. Kindle Edition.

[2] John Calvin and William Pringle, Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, vol. 1 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 311–312.

Perry attends Westside with his wife Clementine and his three kids. He is part of the 2018 apprenticeship program.